Piston Espresso Machines

The piston espresso machine is the automatic machines’ predecessor. It requires more from its user than any other espresso machine, but gives at the same time more freedom and more possibilities to make distinguished and amazingly delicious espressos. The piston machine usually has a more timeless and charming design than the automatic machines, even though you can find more modern designs too. They are mainly made of metal, usually copper or brass, with wooden details. The general opinion is that this is the most attractive espresso machine to look at.

Just like with the semi-automatic machine, you have to grind, measure and tamp the coffee yourself, but with the piston machine you are also responsible for achieving the right temperature and pressure. It takes a lot of time to learn how to master a piston machine, and a big portion of patience and many spilled drops of awful espresso. Once mastered though, there is no other machine that will give you a better espresso.

A piston machine is normally made of copper or brass, or a combination of both, Handles and other details are usually wooden and to most people this traditional look is the most attractive.

You will often find a manometer that measures the temperature of the water and indicates when the time for brewing is right. This indicator can only show a pressure of 3-4 bars and since the ultimate pressure for brewing espresso is at 9 bars it isn´t helpful for measuring the pressure. The user has to be very patient and try until she finds the right pressure, some prior experience in espresso making is a big advantage.

Furthermore, the piston machine has a tank for water, a lever for achieving the right pressure and a portafilter, just like the semi-automatic espresso machine.

At first, all the steps of making espresso with a piston machine are the same as making it with a semi-automatic machine. You fill it with water and switch it on to heat the water. The right temperature for brewing espresso is 93 centigrade, give or take one degree.

When the machine indicates that it is ready to brew, either with the manometer or a little light, you let some hot water flush through the different components and the cup waiting to receive the espresso. Then you grind the coffee beans, measure the amount and tamp it into the portafilter which you then connect to the piston machine.

Now comes the tricky part. First you pull up the lever to extract the steam and create the right pressure, and when the right pressure is achieved (this takes a lot of practice to figure out), you pull the lever down to extract the espresso. If the ground coffee is too fine, or the pressure too low, the espresso will take too long to brew, leaving you with a bitter shot. If, on the other hand, the ground coffee is too coarse, or the pressure too high, the brewing will be too quick and the espresso light and watery. How you find the ultimate pressure and grinding degree is something you learn by doing. That is one of the reasons why brewing espresso with a piston machine is often called a form of art.

A piston machine is not very big and can be used as a piece of interior decoration because of its attractive features.

The price for a decent piston machine starts at around 700 €.